Following rumours of tension between the current and former presidents of the Association of Professional Cycling Groups (AIGCP) Jonathan Vaughters and Eric Boyer, the two have commented on the matter and denied this is the case.
The duo are currently in London taking part in the first Change Cycling Now meeting, discussing plans to try to push for a reform of cycling. A dozen other people are present, including former Tour de France winner Greg LeMond and the anti-doping scientists Michael Ashenden and Robin Parisotto, who have both served on the UCI’s biological passport committee and who are both critical of the governing body.
Talk of a rift between Vaughters and Boyer cropped up as a result of an interview Boyer gave to Le Figaro. In it, he said that Vaughters’ presence at the London summit saddened him, the Frenchman referring to his time as AIGCP president as the reason.
He said that he tried to enforce the Code of Conduct rule which stated that riders who were involved in a serious doping matter should not be employed by a WorldTour team for four years, double the standard two year ban. Liquigas broke this code in signing Ivan Basso, and Boyer said that once Vaughters took over, that he allowed the rule to lapse.
Commenting from London, both sought to dispel the perception that they were at loggerheads.
“It is true that in the past we have had our differences, but we now realise we share a common goal in making a better future for cycling and everything is fine,” said Boyer. “We have spoken about the past during the day and are now committed to helping Change Cycling Now force change for the benefit of everyone in the sport. We have worked together through the day to accomplish our mutual aims and I look forward to doing so again in the future."
Vaughters said that the two ‘get along very well,’ and that they are both in agreement about the path forward for cycling.
“The meeting we attended today as members of the Change Cycling Now panel was extremely positive and we have both signed up to the MPCC code (Movement for Credible Cycling) and its stricter doping rules for teams and riders,” he said. “Unfortunately, as President of the AIGCP, I don't have the mandate to force others to do the same. But Eric and I clearly share the same vision and I'm pleased to be working with him for the future benefit of cycling.”
The Change Cycling Now summit will end this morning. A press conference will follow this afternoon, with a manifesto likely to be released then.